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Monday, June 2, 2008

Injury News From the Nationals

Here's the straight scoop, from the press release just issued:

MEDICAL UPDATES FOR RYAN ZIMMERMAN AND NICK JOHNSON

The Washington Nationals today announced the following medical updates for third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and first baseman Nick Johnson.

Ryan Zimmerman underwent a gadolinium enhanced MRI of his injured left, non-throwing shoulder today and was then evaluated by Dr. Benjamin Shaffer, team orthopedist. The MRI exam revealed a small labral tear. Dr. Shaffer advocated rest and anti-inflammatory medications. The Nationals are consulting with the following renowned orthopedic physicians for additional evaluations: Dr. James Andrews of Birmingham (AL), Dr. Timothy Kremchek of Cincinnati (OH) and Dr. Robert Cofield of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester (MN).

Nick Johnson’s wrist was evaluated today by Dr. Benjamin Shaffer, two weeks after his injury occurred. Because of persisting tenderness of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris tendon sheath in his right wrist, the wrist was re-casted for an additional two weeks. He will be re-evaluated on June 16, at which time rehabilitation options will be determined.

Bottom(feeder) Line: Call me pessimistic, but neither of these outlooks sounds very good to me. Zim's "small labrum tear" is quite disconcerting. It's in his non-throwing shoulder, which is of course very good. But any deconstruction of the labrum area is bad for a baseball player, considering the power and speed that ones needs to generate from the upper body. Expect Zim to go on the 15-Day DL at any time. Either way, he needs to rest it for a while to get the inflammation out.

As for Johnson, I think we all knew what was coming. He's a slow healer, and the news isn't shocking. If Johnson plays before the all-star break, I'll eat my hat.